Summer is finally here, bringing with it a wealth of activities to keep you busy! Check out our website for interesting reads, fun activities, and exciting promotions. There's something for everyone to enjoy this season!

For those of you up for a challenge, we present to you the summer reading challenge. See how many books you can read before the official end of summer. And for those who participate, you get an official certificate to display to congratulate you on your progress!

Searching for enjoyable summer activities? Why not dive into some engaging worksheets to keep you entertained? We've included these fun activities right here in this blog!

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Whether these are within your usual genre or you’re looking to try something new, here’s some titles for you to add to your TBR, also featured within our upcoming summer sale. Perfect for those participating in the summer reading challenge.

Now Who’s Talking 1 by Des Lynam OBE

 Discover the animal kingdom as you’ve never seen it before! In this charming and witty book, with words by Des Lynam and illustrations by Bryony Hill, creatures ranging from squirrels and butterflies to baby hedgehogs and tiger cubs finally get a chance to speak for themselves, revealing their quirks and habits in a way that’s sure to delight readers of all ages.

Whether you’re a die-hard animal lover or just looking for a good laugh, Des and Bryony’s unique perspective is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face – and every so often, perhaps, tell you something you didn’t know about our winged and furry friends.

‘Quirky in the best possible way. Putting words into animal’s mouths is no easy thing, but that is exactly what Des has managed to do. It talks to us of being human – and also of being animal – but expressed in a way that we can relate to. And the illustrations take the words to another level: a perfect match!’

Jonathan and Angela Scott

(aka The Big Cat People), award-winning photographers and conservationists

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly by Michael Rosenblum

From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.

“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”

Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom

Principal

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago Public Schools

Breathless Without You by Kels Hereford

Adam Estrada has a bit of a reputation for his serial dating prowess and is not looking to get into a serious relationship. But when he finds out his sister’s best friend, Kit, is attending his brother’s wedding, he thinks he might be in a little bit of trouble. Especially since he seems to be turning up everywhere Adam is. Kit is the only one who has ever made his heart race, but he’s straight.

Kit Richards has never thought much about his sexual orientation until he comes back into contact with Adam. Adam has suddenly brought up emotions in him that he hasn’t felt since they were teenagers, and he realises that he’s definitely gay. Especially when he decides to throw caution to the wind and kiss Adam. Now he’s found a relationship that he can see himself putting his all into, but will Adam be able to commit? Will they be able to keep this relationship intact, or will something or someone tear them apart?

Empress of Kings by Elle Caldwell

Aeloy Netheraven was born and raised in the Kingdom’s most dangerous prison. Three nights a week she bleeds and breaks in the Pits, an illegal fight club run by the warden.

One day, two strangers offer her a choice and a chance. In exchange for her freedom, all she has to do is guard a prince. But in a cursed land where a tyrant Queen rules from a stolen throne, guarding a prince isn’t as easy as Aeloy thought it would be. Someone keeps gifting her body parts, a kitchen maid goes missing and the Queen forces Aeloy to compete in a series of trials to prove her worth.

As Aeloy searches for the missing kitchen maid, and the culprit behind the grotesque gifts, she uncovers truths which shake the very foundation of her life and everyone around her. She finally found freedom, but at what cost?

Loose Ends by Oliver Hurst

Matthew Bartimaeus, a blind yet notorious hitman, strikes fear into the hearts of all who hear his name. When a routine job takes a disastrous turn, Matthew’s world unravels as he’s double-crossed by a former employer. In a desperate twist of fate, he finds himself compelled to form an unlikely alliance with undercover detective Zoe Garland.

As they join forces, their partnership grows stronger by the day, igniting a deadly game of cat and mouse across the sprawling city of London. Hot on their heels is Arif, the relentless son of the Berkant crime family’s patriarch. Fast-paced car chases and high-stakes gunfights ensue, pushing Matthew to the brink as he relies on his finely honed skills and remaining senses to survive.

But this isn’t just a quest for vengeance, it’s a mission to protect Zoe, who holds the key to exposing corruption within the Met Police. In Loose Ends, Matthew’s determination to settle old scores collides with his unwavering commitment to safeguarding his newfound partner. In a world where justice hangs in the balance, this duo will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

The Endless Autumn by Annabelle Knight

Autumn thought she had everything: a gorgeous stud of a boyfriend, a practical if unexciting PA job at Thorne PR, a savvy best friend, and a soon-to-be earned journalism diploma.

But things in her perfectly constructed world shift when Autumn discovers a life shattering secret.

Needing to change her life drastically Autumn meets a mysterious and sexy stranger who could be the solution to her problems.

Autumn is thrown into a luxurious new world. One that is powered by high flyers, fantasies and carnal desires. How will she escape? Or, does this new world hold the key to her own fulfilment?

Annabelle Knight’s debut novel The Endless Autumn is a sizzling, steamy and sexually sinister story of how a girl next door, unwittingly – but perhaps not unwillingly – explores the fringes of desire and release.

A Kiss of Smoke by Jackie Weight

This book hosts a compendium of my favourite recipes which can be cooked outdoors on a barbecue or using traditional indoor kitchen methods. In this book you will find good, honest cooking; meals that you will love to eat and love to serve to family and friends. None of the photography has been staged, every photo was taken just before the food was eaten, so again there is honesty in the way it is presented.

Most of the recipes are cooked using the more gentle, indirect barbecue method, positioning food away from the fire, thus reducing the risk of creating a bitter flavour caused by over-charring or burning.

So, whether you want to cook outside on your barbecue or indoors in your kitchen, there will be something in this book for you. I hope you enjoy recreating some of these recipes as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you.

A Suitcase Full of Olive Branches by Fil Bufalo

Would it really be out of the question for the coach to make a slight diversion? We heard that this tour was headed for the Northern Lights. That’s why we took it, but now we can’t seem to find those Northern Lights anywhere on the itinerary. Any idea why that would be the case? Now you are curious about this book, right? Let me enlighten you. This is a book about Italy and her beautiful northern lakes.

While travelling on a tour coach on a round trip from Milan, tiny olive branches are handed out to perfect strangers in an effort to let the Italians know that their country is not considered number one in the world in terms of World Heritage and Culture for nothing.

Always There for You by Lalitha Yenna

This story delicately deals with the idea of separation anxiety in children. The story depicts how a mother handles the gentlest feelings of her little boy during separation anxiety. Their beautiful conversation about the butterfly is an engaging tale that helps the little boy understand that no matter where he goes his mother will always be there for him.

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